The chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has endorsed the forthcoming North Central Stakeholders Development Summit, describing it as a strategic platform for the region to collectively chart a new path towards sustainable development.
Governor Abdulrazaq, who gave his endorsement for the Summit when he received members of the Governing Board and Management of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) at the Kwara State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, described the initiative as commendable and timely in addressing the development needs of the region.
The Summit with the theme; “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region”, is scheduled to hold in Abuja from 14th to 15th September 2026.
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the NCDC and also praised the commission for prioritising the establishment of foundational structures and processes, particularly the planned Stakeholders Development Summit.
Abdulrazaq noted that the Summit would provide an opportunity to aggregate the views, aspirations and concerns of the people of the North Central towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
He urged the Commission to give priority attention to critical sectors including agriculture, healthcare, power, commerce, human capital development and entrepreneurship, among others.
The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum drew the attention of the Commission to the need for improved regional infrastructure and connectivity, particularly roads and railways, to address the historical infrastructural gaps that have continued to constrain economic integration and development in the region.
He said that infrastructural architecture inherited from the colonial era was largely designed around extraction, with inadequate attention to connecting communities and economic centres within the North Central to major national transportation corridors.
Abdulrazaq encouraged the NCDC to pursue interventions that would strengthen road and rail connectivity across the region and improve its integration with the wider national economy.
The Kwara State Governor also advised the NCDC to sustain and expand its partnerships with Federal Government institutions, State Governments and development partners, particularly in exploring innovative financing options that would enhance the implementation, quality and sustainability of development projects.
Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NCDC, Dr. Cyril Yiltsen Tsenyil, expressed appreciation to Governor Abdulrazaq for receiving the Governing Board and Management of the Commission.
Tsenyil said the visit was part of the Commission’s ongoing engagement with Governors of the seven North Central States, aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring that the Commission’s programmes and interventions are aligned with the development priorities of the States.
The Managing Director said the NCDC Governing Board had already visited Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue and Niger States, during which the Governors expressed their full support for the Commission and pledged assistance in areas including office accommodation, project vehicles and other institutional requirements.
The NCDC Chief Executive Officer stated that the scheduled Summit would provide a robust platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the region and develop a comprehensive long-term development framework.
Tsenyil further said the participation of Governor Abdulrazaq and his colleagues from across the North Central would be particularly valuable in helping the Commission identify the specific areas requiring intervention and develop programmes that respond directly to the needs and aspirations of the people.
He emphasised that the NCDC sees the States as partners in development and not competitors, stressing that continuous interaction, consultation, collaboration and exchange of ideas would remain central to the Commission’s approach.
The Managing Director also said that the Commission was committed to working closely with the States to achieve the collective development objectives of the North Central region.
A statement by Dr Makut Simon Macham, Head of Media and Corporate Communications Department of NCDC stated that Dr. Tsenyil also conveyed the condolences of the NCDC Governing Board and Management to the Government and people of Kwara State over the recent attacks and terrorism-related activities recorded in some parts of the State.
